CITY WIDE IMPLICATIONS

CITY OF HAMILTON

PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Employment, Housing & Long Term Care Program Policy & Planning

Report to:

Chairman and Members Social & Public Health Services Committee

Submitted by:

Vicki Woodcox, Director, Employment, Housing & Long Term Care Jane Soldera, Director, Program Policy & Planning

Date: April 26, 2004 Prepared by: Erin Mifflin x7839

Keith Extance x3745 SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home:

A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) RECOMMENDATION:

a) That the draft report “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton”, the Executive Summary attached as Appendix “A” to Report HCS04037, be received.

b) That staff consult with community stakeholders in Hamilton on the proposed

recommendations outlined in “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton”. c) That staff report back to the Social & Public Health Services Committee in September

2004 on the results of the community consultation along with the proposed final recommendations of “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton”.

d) That Item A of the Social and Public Health Services Committee Outstanding

Business List - Keys to the Home – Housing Policy draft report be identified as completed and removed from the Outstanding Business List.

Joe-Anne Priel General Manager Public Health and Community Services Department

SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) Page 2 of 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Housing remains one of the most basic human needs. Housing needs and the demand for housing are not static but change and evolve as social, demographic and economic conditions change. Municipalities have been at the forefront of assessing housing market conditions and housing needs and establishing policy directions and program initiatives for their respective communities. In March 2003, Council approved the Terms of Reference for the completion of “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton”. All of the former municipalities of the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth had completed comprehensive municipal housing statements and strategies throughout the 1990’s. With the amalgamation of these municipalities into a “new” City of Hamilton, the time was right to begin the process to establish a new comprehensive Housing Strategy for the City of Hamilton. Since that time, staff have undertaken a detailed review of housing needs and issues in Hamilton and engaged in a number of consultations with a wide range of community stakeholders involved in all facets of housing. Attached as Appendix “A” is the Executive Summary of “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” including 22 proposed draft recommendations. The full version of the report is available from the City Clerk and Public Health and Community Services Department. At this time, the draft report and proposed recommendations are being provided as information only for receipt by Council. Staff will then again undertake a community consultation process seeking input from stakeholders on the “Keys to the Home" report and the proposed staff recommendations. A report summarizing the results of the consultation and the final proposed staff recommendations will be brought forward for consideration by the Social & Public Health Services Committee in September 2004.

BACKGROUND:

There are considerable socio economic and health-related costs associated with the lack of affordable and suitable housing. For example, the lack of stable housing may interfere with a child’s ability to attend school and learn, as well as the ability for parents to maintain stable employment. The lack of housing also contributes to an inability to provide adequate nutrition and is a significant factor in contributing to domestic violence including child neglect and abuse. There were two PHCS reports brought forward to Council in 2002 that address these issues – Report SPH01103a “Early Years Update” and Report SPH02002, “Nutritious Food Basket”. As well, in a recent article in the Economic Development Journal (see Appendix B), “Providing affordable housing is not only a social and moral obligation but, as can be

SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) Page 3 of 6

seen from this study, it is economically viable as well. The housing industry provides jobs and incomes for residents and a tax base for communities. It brings in substantial direct revenue, aids balanced growth, and plays a significant role in attracting sustainable economic development to the state. The results of this study are important for three reasons. First, they show the need to move away from fiscal impact models as the only means to assess the influence of housing on local schools and service expenditures. Secondly, the study shows that the economic impact of single family and multifamily units can be quite significant and add wealth to the local community and, indeed, across the region. Finally, balanced growth - the availability of homes that match the character of the jobs - plays a significant role in attracting sustainable economic development.” The City of Hamilton has made significant progress in recent years to address affordable housing issues in our community. In 2002, as a result of provincial downloading, the City assumed the role of Service Manager for the administration and funding of 14,200 social housing units at an approximately net levy impact of $32 million. City-owned housing corporations account for 6,200 of those units. In April 2002, City Council adopted HAHPI – The Hamilton Affordable Housing Partnership Initiative – as the City’s proactive strategy and response to affordable housing supply needs in our community. The cornerstone of HAHPI is the Housing Partnership Fund that is levering additional rental housing supply through new development, rehabilitation and non-residential building conversions. In tandem with the City’s HAHPI Housing Partnership Fund is the Federal-Provincial Community Rental Housing Program (CHRP). It is anticipated that some 700 rental units will be available under CHRP for take-up by private sector and community-led housing providers over the next 3-4 years. The City of Hamilton has played a lead role in the federally-funded Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) aimed at reducing and preventing homelessness in our community. The City, through input provided by a Community Advisory Board, has recently issued a Request for Proposals for Phase II of the program. SCPI II will provide approximately $12 million in funding for projects that meet the priority areas of homelessness prevention and supportive/transitional housing. In October 2002, City Council endorsed Report SPH02001a – the Vision portion of the Social Development Strategy document, “A Social Vision for the New City of Hamilton”. One of the Flagships identified in the Strategy was “affordable housing”. The goals of the Affordable Housing Flagship are as follows: To increase the supply of affordable housing in the City of Hamilton; To promote the availability of affordable housing through such measures as rent

subsidies, funds for home improvement and assistance with the payment of the first and last months’ rents; and

To ensure the availability of emergency and shelter arrangements in order to reduce substantially the rate of homelessness in Hamilton.

SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) Page 4 of 6

In October 2003, Council endorsed the report “The Housing Continuum: Issues in the Hamilton Community” as a working document and the Community Advisory Board’s (CAB) framework for SCPI II priorities. “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” has taken the relevant information from this report and integrated it where appropriate. As a result, “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” when considered by Committee and Council will be regarded as the baseline document for housing policy and program initiatives in the City of Hamilton. Some of the important observations and conclusions from “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” include the following: • The needs of the homeless and those of low income renter households are as

great in 2004 as they have been at any point in our recent history; • There is a long-term need for new rental units in Hamilton in the order of 650

units on an average annual basis; • The community expects the City to be a leader in affordable housing; • Housing is not a cost – it is an investment in the well-being of our citizens and

plays a significant role in attracting sustainable economic development; • Resources are limited. The only way to move forward in addressing the housing

needs of our community is with innovation, creativity and partnership; • A “systems approach” to affordable housing will result in the effective utilization

of our scare housing resources on those with the greatest need; and, • “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” cannot be the “end”. It

must be the beginning of a renewed focus and commitment in our community to address affordable housing needs in a pragmatic and cohesive manner.

“Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” is also an important tool to re-engage the Federal and Provincial governments in housing policy and program matters. This report will establish the City of Hamilton as a willing and credible partner to work with senior levels of government to respond to the range of housing needs in our community.

ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES: A municipal housing strategy is only as effective as the degree of community consultation and feedback on the proposed recommendations. By not consulting with the broader community stakeholders, the proposed strategy may not effectively respond to housing needs and concerns.

SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) Page 5 of 6

FINANCIAL/STAFFING/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Financial – None. Staffing – None. Legal – None.

POLICIES AFFECTING PROPOSAL:

None.

CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES: The community consultations as part of the work developing “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” included the following: • Councillor Dave Braden • Councillor Marvin Caplan • Dr. Barbara Carroll, McMaster University • Councillor Chad Collins • Councillor Murray Ferguson • Mr. Jesse Garlow • Dr. Lindsey George • Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes Inc. • Hamilton & District Apartment Association • Hamilton Community Foundation • Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association • Dr. Richard Harris, McMaster University • Councillor Andrea Horwath • Mr. George Hough • Housing Help Centre • Housing Trust Working Group • Councillor Bill Kelly • Councillor Dave Mitchell • M.O.M.’s Group • McQuesten Legal and Community Services • Megna Real Estate and Insurance Limited • Native Housing Providers in Ontario • REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) • Roomers’ and Boarders’ Committee • Dr. Damaris Rose, l’Université du Québec • Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing Inc. • Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO)

SUBJECT: Receipt of Draft Report - “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” (HCS04037) (City Wide) Page 6 of 6

• Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC) • Supported Housing Coordinating Network (sub-group of Hamilton District Health

Council) • Threshold School of Building • Urban Native Homes • Wesley Urban Ministries • Women’s Institute Internal consultation was undertaken with staff from the Long Range Planning and Design Division, the Development and Real Estate Division, the Building and Licensing Division and the Downtown Renewal Division of the Planning and Development Department. Also, staff from the Community Programs Division and the Healthy Lifestyle & Youth Division of the Public Health and Community Services Department were consulted and contributed to this report, as well as staff from the Strategic Initiatives Division - GRIDS, City Manager’s Office. Staff made presentations to the Food, Shelter and Housing Advisory Committee, the Community Advisory Board (CAB), the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities, the Tenant Advisory Committee, the Community Consultation Committee on Social Housing (CCCOSH), and the Solutions for Housing Action Committee (SHAC) in order to seek input and comment on the areas of concern and housing issues that should be addressed within “Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton”.

CITY STRATEGIC COMMITMENT:

“Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton” supports the following goals of the City’s Strategic Plan: 1. A City of Growth and Opportunity c) Developing Partnerships for Hamilton with Other Levels of Government “Council will urge its government partners to take the steps necessary to support the City in its efforts.” 2. A Great City in Which to Live b) Supporting People in Need, with Care “Council will seek work with other levels of Government and the community to ensure that people in need are supported and cared for.” 3. A Healthy, Safe and Green City i) Municipal Housing Program “Develop and implement a municipal affordable housing program.”

Appendix A HCS04037

DRAFT

KK EE YY SS TT OO TT HH EE HH OO MM EE :: A HOUSING STRATEGY FOR HAMILTON A HOUSING STRATEGY FOR HAMILTON

Prepared by:

Program Policy and Planning Division Employment, Housing and Long-Term Care Division

Public Health and Community Services Department

City of Hamilton

May 2004

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y: KEYS TO THE HOME: A HOUSING STRATEGY FOR HAMILTON

A. Executive Summary

I. Background Housing remains one of the most basic human needs. Housing needs and the demand for housing are not static but change and evolve as social, demographic and economic conditions change. There are considerable social and health costs associated with the lack of affordable and appropriate housing. This interferes with a child’s ability to attend school and learn, as well as the ability for parents to maintain stable employment. The lack of affordable housing also contributes to an inability to provide adequate nutrition and is a significant factor in contributing to domestic violence including child neglect and abuse. An increase in affordable housing also serves as an economic catalyst that leads to increased jobs and incomes for residents thus increasing the overall wealth of a community. The need for new affordable housing supply in Hamilton has been growing for several years. In response, in April 2002 City Council adopted HAHPI – The Hamilton Affordable Housing Partnership Initiative – as the City’s proactive strategy and response to affordable housing supply needs in our community. The cornerstone of HAHPI is the Housing Partnership Fund that levers additional rental housing supply through new development, rehabilitation and non-residential building conversions. In October 2002, City Council through Report SPH02001a endorsed the Vision portion of the Social Development Strategy document entitled A Social Vision for the New City of Hamilton. The Social Development Strategy underscores the fact that people in our community need all forms of temporary and permanent, affordable and appropriate housing options which include shelters, transitional housing, supported and supportive housing and residential care facilities. The people at risk in our community include youth, seniors, homeless families, persons released from prisons and those with mental illness. One of the Flagship areas identified in the Social Development Strategy is “affordable housing”. The goals of the Affordable Housing Flagship are as follows: • To increase the supply of affordable housing in the City of Hamilton; • To promote the availability of affordable housing through such measures as rent

subsidies, funds for home improvement and assistance with the payment of the first and last month’s rents; and

• To ensure the availability of emergency and shelter arrangements in order to reduce substantially the rate of homelessness in Hamilton.

Municipalities have been at the forefront of assessing housing market conditions and housing needs and establishing policy directions and program initiatives for their respective communities. All of the former municipalities of the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth had completed comprehensive municipal housing statements and housing strategies throughout the 1990’s.

ii